JP2011223239A - Position specifying system and position specifying method using human-body communication - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To locate a user with a high accuracy.SOLUTION: A position specifying system using human-body communication of an embodiment of the invention is a computer system comprised of a signal generator, a plurality of signal detectors, a plurality of detection plates, and a position specifying server. The signal generator, which is a portable device carried around by a user, generates a signal indicating a signal generator ID pre-stored in a memory of the device, and outputs this signal using the body of the user as a communication medium. The detection plates have conductivity and are placed at different places within a monitoring area. Each of the signal detectors is connected to each of the detection plates and outputs detection data generated by adding a detection plate ID pre-stored in a memory of the signal detector to the signal generator ID indicated by the signal transmitted by the signal generator. The position specifying server is connected to each signal detector via a wired or wireless network, and locates a position of the detection plate based on output detection data.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a human body communication position specifying system and position specifying method for specifying a user position using human body communication.

  In recent years, with the development of communication technology, various technologies have been developed for the purpose of specifying the position of a moving person or object in a remote place. For example, a location specifying method using wireless technology, GPS (Global There is a position specifying method using Positioning System).

JP 2009-92423 A JP 2007-58466 A

  However, the prior art has the following problems.

(1) In the case of a position specifying method using wireless technology Since the radio wave intensity peculiar to wireless is used, the position accuracy differs depending on the accuracy of the antenna and the like. In addition, there is a blind spot portion where communication cannot be performed by using radio waves, and the position may not be specified.
For example, on the platform of a station, there are troubles between passengers and station staff, and there is a demand to know the position of the station staff from the safety aspect. However, although it is possible to contact the station staff with a mobile phone or a transceiver in normal times, it is considered practically difficult for the station staff to use the terminal in an emergency. In addition, the station platform has many blind spots, and in the past radio technology, it was necessary to consider the arrangement of antennas.
The same applies to the location of nurses in hospitals. For example, if the position of a nurse at work cannot be accurately identified, and an inpatient changes suddenly, an instruction (emergency call) can be issued to the nurse closest to the patient room of the sudden change patient. There wasn't.
(2) In the case of a location identification method using GPS: Identifies the approximate position (error 10 to 40 m) of a person or thing in a predetermined limited monitoring area such as an event venue of several hundred meters to several kilometers square Although it is possible, it is difficult to pinpoint the position of a person or an object. In addition, since signals from satellites are used, they cannot be used indoors.
In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a position specifying system and a position specifying method by human body communication that can specify the position of a user with high accuracy.

  A position specifying system using human body communication according to an embodiment of the present invention is a computer system including a signal generator, a plurality of signal detectors, a plurality of detection plates, and a position specifying server. The signal generator is a device that is carried by the user and generates a signal representing the signal generator ID stored in advance in the storage area of the device, and outputs the signal using the user's body as a communication medium. To do. The detection plates are arranged at different positions in the monitoring area and have conductivity. The signal detector is connected to each detection plate, and the detection data obtained by adding the detection plate ID stored in advance in the storage area of the own device to the signal generator ID represented by the signal transmitted from the signal generator. Output. The position specifying server is connected to each signal detector via a wired or wireless network, and specifies the position of the detection plate based on the output detection data. The position specifying server includes a server-side communication unit that receives detection data output from the signal detector, a detection plate information database that stores at least a relationship between the detection plate ID and the position of the detection plate, and a server-side communication unit. A detection plate identifying unit that analyzes the detection data received in step S10 to extract a signal generator ID and a detection plate ID, and refers to the detection plate information database using the detection plate ID as a key; Is provided.

The figure which shows the structural example of the position specific system by the human body communication which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the communication method of the position identification system by human body communication shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the position specification system by the human body communication shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the signal generator side communication part shown in FIG. 3, a signal detector side communication part, and a server side communication part. The figure which shows the hardware structural example of the computer applied to the position specification server 5 shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the specific example of the process in the signal generator shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the specific example of the process in the signal detector shown in FIG. The figure which shows the specific example of the data utilized with the position specific system by the human body communication shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the specific example of the process in the position specific server shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a position specifying system using human body communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the position specifying system by human body communication according to the present embodiment is distributed and arranged at different positions on the signal generator 1 carried by the station staff (user), the floor surface and the wall surface of the station premises, etc. A plurality of detection plates 2, a plurality of signal detectors 3 provided for each detection plate 2 to be connected, and a position specifying server 5 connected to these signal detectors 3 via a network 4 such as TCP / IP. It is a computer system, and the signal detector 3 detects the signal transmitted from the signal generator 1 and notifies the position specifying server 5 by wired or wireless communication, so that the position specifying server 5 side Can grasp the position of station staff (users).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a communication method of the position specifying system by human body communication shown in FIG. Since most of the human body is composed of moisture, it has a dielectric property. For this reason, by passing a current (for example, 500 μA equivalent to a general body fat meter) from the signal electrode of the signal generator 1, the reference electrode far from the contact surface with the human body and the bottom surface of the signal detector 3 ( Alternatively, electrostatic coupling occurs between the reference electrode on the side surface. Thereby, a closed loop as shown in the figure is completed. The potential generated at the electrodes of the signal generator 1 is transmitted to the electrodes of the signal detector 3 by an electric field formed between the electrodes. The signal detector 3 detects the potential of the signal electrode and performs analysis based on the potential difference from the reference potential. Then, the analysis result is transmitted as detection data to the position specifying server 5 connected via the network 4.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the position specifying system using human body communication shown in FIG.

  The signal generator 1 is a device carried by a user, and a signal generator ID stored in advance in a storage device (signal generator ID storage unit 11) of this device is used as a communication device (signal generator side communication). A computer that generates a signal by modulating the signal in the unit 12), and outputs the signal as a communication medium of the user's body. The signal generator 1 is preferably small in consideration of being carried by the user.

  The detection plate 2 is a member arranged at a different position in the monitoring area. The material of the detection plate 2 is preferably a conductive material such as iron. However, since an electric field is formed as shown in FIG. 2, the signal detector 3 outputs a signal even in the case of an insulator. It can be detected. Similarly, the signal can be detected while the user is wearing shoes.

  The signal detector 3 is provided corresponding to each of the detection plates 2 and is connected to the detection plate 2 on a one-to-one basis, and communicates signals transmitted from the signal generator 1 via the user's body and the detection plate 2. The device (signal detector side communication unit 32) detects this signal, demodulates this signal to extract the signal generator ID, and stores its own storage device (detection plate ID storage unit) for the extracted signal generator ID 31) is a computer that outputs detection data to which a detection plate ID stored in advance is added.

  The position specifying server 5 is a computer that is connected to each of the plurality of signal detectors 3 and specifies the position of the detection plate 2 based on the detection data output from the signal detector 3, and includes a server-side communication unit 51, a detection plate An information database 52, a user information database 53, a user movement history information database 54, and a detection plate specifying unit 55 are provided.

  The server-side communication unit 51 is a communication device that receives detection data output from the signal detector 3 that has detected a signal in the detection plate 2 to which the server itself corresponds.

The detection plate information database 52 is a database that stores at least the relationship between the detection plate ID and the position of the detection plate 2.
The user information database 53 is a database that stores a relationship between at least a user ID unique to each user and a signal generator ID unique to each detection plate 2.
The user movement history information database 54 is a database that stores at least the relationship between the user ID, the position of the detection plate 2 and the time (system time).

  The detection plate specifying unit 55 analyzes the detection data received by the server side communication unit 51 to extract the signal generator ID and the detection plate ID, and refers to the detection plate information database 52 using the detection plate ID as a key. This is a program for specifying the position of the detection plate 2 where the user exists.

  The detection plate specifying unit 55 also specifies the user ID using the signal generator ID as a key along with specifying the position of the detection plate 2. Further, the detection plate specifying unit 55 updates the user movement history information database 54 with the user movement history information including the specified user ID, the position of the detection plate 2 and the current time.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the signal generator side communication unit 12, the signal detector side communication unit 32, and the server side communication unit 51 illustrated in FIG. As shown in the figure, the signal generator side communication unit 12 includes a modulation unit 121, a filter unit 122, and an electrode 123.

  The modulation unit 121 modulates a reference signal (frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, etc.) with a signal based on the signal generator ID acquired from the signal generator ID storage unit 11, generates a modulated signal, and outputs the modulated signal to the filter unit 122.

  The filter unit 122 is a band-pass filter that attenuates a predetermined range of frequency components included in the modulation signal input from the modulation unit 121.

  The electrode 123 includes a reference electrode 123a that provides a potential reference point (reference potential) when measuring the electrode potential and a signal electrode 123b that is used to transmit a desired modulation signal, and transmits the modulation signal received from the filter unit 122 as an electrical signal. To do.

  The signal detector side communication unit 32 includes an electrode 321, a filter unit 322, a demodulation unit 323, a detection data creation unit 324, and a detection data transmission unit 325.

  The electrode 321 is an electrode composed of a reference electrode 321 a and a signal electrode 321 b that are paired with the reference electrode 123 a and the signal electrode 123 b of the signal generator 1, and receives an electrical signal transmitted from the signal generator 1.

  The filter unit 322 is a bandpass filter that attenuates a predetermined range of frequency components included in the reception signal input from the electrode 321 and outputs the attenuated frequency component to the filter unit 322.

  The demodulator 323 receives the signal output from the filter unit 322, demodulates it based on the reference signal, extracts the signal generator ID included in the received signal, and outputs the signal generator ID to the detection data generator 324.

  The detection data creation unit 324 is a program that creates detection data including the signal generator ID output from the demodulation unit 323 and the detection plate ID stored in the detection plate ID storage unit 31.

  The detection data transmission unit 325 is a communication program that transmits the detection data created by the detection data creation unit 324 to the position specifying server 5.

  The server side communication unit 51 includes a detection data reception unit 511 and a detection data analysis unit 512.

  The detection data reception unit 511 is a communication program that receives the detection data transmitted from the detection data transmission unit 325 of the signal detector 3 and outputs the detection data to the detection data analysis unit 512.

  The detection data analysis unit 512 is a program that analyzes the reception data (detection data) output from the detection data reception unit 511 based on a predetermined rule, and extracts a signal generator ID and a detection plate ID included in the detection data. is there.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer applied to the position specifying server 5 illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, a computer applied to the location server 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63, an input / output interface 64, a system bus. 65, an input device 66, a display device 67, an auxiliary storage device 68, and a communication device 69.

  The CPU 61 is a processing device that executes various types of arithmetic processing using programs and data stored in the ROM 62 and the RAM 63. The ROM 62 is a read-only storage device that stores basic programs and environment files for causing the computer to function. The RAM 63 is a storage device that stores a program executed by the CPU 61 and data necessary for execution of each program, and can be read and written at high speed. The input / output interface 64 is a device and a program that mediate connection between various hardware and the system bus 65. The system bus 65 is an information transmission path shared by the CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, and input / output interface 64.

  The input / output interface 64 is connected with hardware such as an input device 66, a display device 67, an auxiliary storage device 68, and a communication device 69. The input device 66 is a device that processes input from the user, and is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The display device 67 is a device that displays a calculation result, a creation screen, and the like to the user, and is a CRT, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like, for example. The auxiliary storage device 68 is a large-capacity storage device that stores programs and data, and is, for example, a hard disk device. As with the position specifying server 5, the signal generator 1 and the signal detector 3 are also computers, but the input device 66 and the display device 67 are not necessary for these devices.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the position specifying system based on human body communication configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the signal generator 1 shown in FIG.

  In S601, it is determined whether it is a signal transmission time. If it is determined that the signal transmission time is reached, the process proceeds to S602. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not the signal transmission time, the standby state is set until the signal transmission time.

  In S602, the signal generator ID acquired from the signal generator ID storage unit 11 is modulated to generate a signal.

  In step S603, the signal generated by the modulation is output from the electrode 123, and the human body is transmitted as a communication medium to the signal detector 3 corresponding to the detection plate 2 with which the user is in contact with the sole or the like, and the process ends. .

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the signal detector 3 shown in FIG.

  In S701, it is determined whether or not a signal from the signal generator 1 has been received. If it is determined that a signal has been received, the process proceeds to S702. On the other hand, if it is determined that no signal is received, a standby state is maintained until a signal is received.

  In S702, the signal received from the signal generator 1 at the electrode 321 is demodulated, and the signal generator ID is extracted.

  In S703, detection data including the extracted signal generator ID and the detection plate ID stored in the detection plate ID storage unit 31 is created. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of data used in the position specifying system by human body communication shown in FIG. 8 (a) and 8 (b) show a detection plate (1) corresponding to the detected signal detector 3 whose signal generator ID is “SIG-34” of the signal generator 1 carried by the station staff in FIG. 8 is a data example when the detection plate ID is “PL-1”, and FIG. 8C shows the position from the signal detector side communication unit 32 based on the data of FIG. 8A and FIG. It is an example of the detection data transmitted to the specific server 5.

  In S704, the generated detection data is transmitted to the location specifying server 5, and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the location specifying server 5 shown in FIG.

  In S901, the presence / absence of reception of detection data transmitted from the signal detector 3 is determined. If it is determined that detection data has been received, the process advances to step S902. On the other hand, if it is determined that no detection data has been received, the process waits until detection data is received.

  In S902, the received detection data is analyzed, and a detection plate ID and a signal generator ID are extracted.

  In step S903, the detection plate information database 52 is referred to using the extracted detection plate ID as a key, and the position of the detection plate 2 where the user exists is specified.

  In S904, the user ID is identified by referring to the user information database 53 using the signal generator ID extracted in S902 as a key. For example, when the information stored in the user information database 53 is FIG. 8E, the user ID “user-142” is specified using the signal generator ID “SIG-34” as a key.

  In S905, the movement history information of the corresponding user is created based on the position of the detection plate 2 specified in S903 and S904, the user ID, and the system time, and the user movement history information database 54 is updated with this information. Exit. FIG. 8F shows an example of data stored in the user movement history information database 54 based on the data of FIGS. 8C to 8D. By referring to this data, the user ID “user-142” is shown. It can be seen that the station staff of “has moved from“ detection plate (1) ”to“ detection plate (2) ”.

  Thus, according to the position specifying system by human body communication according to the present embodiment, the position of the user carrying the signal generator 1 can be specified with high accuracy from the position of the detection plate 2.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. Moreover, you may delete some components from all the components shown by embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the detection plate 2 and the signal detector 3 have been described as separate members. However, the electrodes may be integrated by forming the electrodes in a planar shape.

  Moreover, although the detection plate 2 is disposed on the floor or wall surface, the present invention can also be applied to a structure such as a chair or a bed where there is an opportunity for human contact. In this case, various actions of the user such as “sitting” or “resting” can be grasped, so that the present invention can be applied to a management system in a hospital or a nursing facility. In addition, the monitoring area is not limited to indoors but can be provided on the floors of a plurality of exhibition booths scattered outdoors. Similarly, if the detection plates 2 are provided in a distributed manner on playground equipment such as amusement parks, bench seats and floors, etc., it is only necessary to give each attendee the signal generator 1 such as a bracelet at the entrance, etc. Can be searched quickly and reliably. Furthermore, it is applicable not only to human beings but also to animal management.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Signal generator 2 ... Detection board 3 ... Signal detector 4 ... Network 5 ... Location specific server 11 ... Signal generator ID memory | storage part 12 ... Signal generator side communication part 31 ... Detection board ID memory | storage part 32 ... Signal detector Side communication unit 51 ... Server side communication unit 52 ... Detection plate information database 53 ... User information database 54 ... User movement history information database 55 ... Detection plate identification unit 61 ... CPU
62 ... ROM
63 ... RAM
64 ... I / O interface 65 ... System bus 66 ... Input device 67 ... Display device 68 ... Auxiliary storage device 69 ... Communication device 121 ... Modulation unit 122 ... Filter unit 123 ... Electrode 123a ... Reference electrode 123b ... Signal electrode 321 ... Electrode 321a ... Reference electrode 321b ... signal electrode 322 ... filter unit 323 ... demodulation unit 324 ... detection data creation unit 325 ... detection data transmission unit 511 ... detection data reception unit 512 ... detection data analysis unit

Claims (5)

A signal generator which is a device carried by a user and generates a signal representing a signal generator ID stored in advance in a storage area of the device, and outputs the signal using the user's body as a communication medium When,
A plurality of conductive detection plates arranged at different positions in the monitoring area;
A plurality of detection data that is connected to these detection plates and outputs detection data obtained by adding a detection plate ID stored in advance in the storage area of the own device to the signal generator ID represented by the signal transmitted from the signal generator With a signal detector,
A position specifying server that is connected to these signal detectors via a wired or wireless network and specifies the position of the detection plate based on the output detection data;
Consists of
The location server is
A server-side communication unit that receives the detection data output from the signal detector;
A detection plate information database storing at least the relationship between the detection plate ID and the position of the detection plate;
The detection data received by the server-side communication unit is analyzed to extract the signal generator ID and the detection plate ID, and the detection plate ID is used as a key to refer to the detection plate information database and to detect the detection plate. A detection plate specifying unit for specifying a position;
A position specifying system using human body communication, comprising: The location server further includes a user information database that stores at least a relationship between a user ID and the signal generator ID,
2. The position specifying system using human body communication according to claim 1, wherein the detecting plate specifying unit specifies the user ID using the signal generator ID as a key together with specifying the position of the detecting plate. The position specifying server further includes a user movement history database that stores a relationship between at least the user ID, the position of the detection plate, and time,
3. The human body according to claim 2, wherein the detection plate specifying unit updates the user movement history information database with user movement history information including the specified user ID, the position of the detection plate, and a current time. Communication location system.   The said detection board is arrange | positioned at least on a floor surface, The position specifying system by human body communication as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A signal generation step in which a signal generator carried by a user generates a signal representing a signal generator ID stored in advance in the storage area of the own device;
A signal output step in which the signal generator outputs the generated signal using the user's body as a communication medium;
Extraction step of extracting the signal generator ID from this signal when the signal detectors connected to the detection plates arranged at different positions in the monitoring area detect the signal output in the signal output step. When,
A detection data output step in which the signal detector outputs detection data including the signal generator ID extracted in the extraction step and a detection plate ID stored in advance in a storage area of the own device;
A position specifying server that is connected to the signal detector via a wired or wireless network and includes a detection plate information database that stores at least the relationship between the detection plate ID and the position of the detection plate is provided from the signal detector. A detection data receiving step for receiving the output detection data;
The position specifying server analyzes the detection data received in the detection data receiving step to extract the signal generator ID and the detection plate ID, and refers to the detection plate information database using the detection plate ID as a key. And a detection plate specifying step for specifying the position of the detection plate;
A position specifying method by human body communication, characterized by comprising: